River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1887-09-29

ledcutE MS ITSL Term tuition.
Lefty gave her mother light sketch
of her first term, at its close. She had
gradually recovered from her amaze
ment at the requirement of her latest
pupil, and had given herself TO his in
struction with all her usual interest
and energy.
"He's very bright, really, mamma, -
she declared. .'Of course it seemed
funny TO have to teach him the very
rudiments. Why, he had to begin with
the staff, and learn the names of the
lines and spaces, just as my youngest
scholars do. II was all / could do to
keep from laughing. the first lesson.
But he learns so easily. He really has
good technique and can see he's going
to have lots of feeling for music. He's
got along really well l know he must
practice awfully lard. He car play a
little piece with both hands already.
and he says he'll play it at the rehearsal
needn't if he didn't want to. You
know all my class is going to play, and
I'm afraid they'll laugh, it's so funny
to see him playing it. But he says he'd
just as leave as not. OF course I'll ex-
rlain that he hasn't taken lessons long. "
Mr. Gibson came next day for his
lesson; he took two a week. He played
his scales through carefully, and then
executed his piece" with laborious
pains. but with great success.
Lefty was delighted.
''If you do as well at that at rehear-
sal.'' she said with pretty enthusiasm
which glued her pupils eyes to her
face. Miss Taylor mas offered their
parlor, you know, and Tn so glad, be-
cause if all the parents and friends
come thereIl hardly be room enough
here"
Miss Taylor?" Mr.. Gibson re-
peated, somewhat blankly, it struck
histeache r.
But he went on talking of something
else. and talked on till the striking of
the clock made him jump up,
He had fallen into the habit of stay
ing after MS lesson was over TO talk;
so that ls,er twenty lessons it was not
strange that they felt tOlerably well
acquainted. And Lettie had cOntided
to herself more than once that MIR. Glib
son was '.uncOmmOnly' entertaining
and nice.
The rehearsal passed off with all pos
sible smOOthness; but Mr.. Gibson was
not there. Lefty had received a note
from him at the last minute, stating
his unavoidable detention.
A bunch of flowers had accompanied
it, and white rose shOne in Letty's
soft hair at the rehearsal.
Little Genevieve came and played
successfully. Mrs. Gibson came with
her, and she smiled blandly on Lefty
and cOmplimented her on Genevieve's
progress. She did not mention her son,
and Lefty went home vaguely wonder
ing.
She gave Genevieve a lesson next
day She didn't understand why it
was but the imposing hall. with its
stately furnishing, and the charmingly
music room, somehow de-
pressed her.
She had another rose from Mr.. Glib
sons bouquet in a button hole of her
Jacket, and she looked down at it
rather drearily. She had come to
know him so well, and all this gran
deur seemed to thrust her so hope
lessly far away from him. Not that
she had that thought distinctly in mind.
She was sensible girl. and by no
means foolishly impressiOnable and
romantic. But she was dimly unhappy.
Ii was due to this mood, doubtless,
that she forgot her muff, and was go
ing on her way home without it. She
saw young Mr.. Gibson run up the steps
as she turned back. and she walked
slowly in order to avoid him.
His hat was on a pegwhen she was
admitted to the hall. Lefty looked at
IL wistfully. 1t looked woefully differ
ent, hanging on a mahogany hat rack,
with long mirror, and lying informal
IL on her piano top at home.
The notes of the Gibson piano were
sounding and Lefty listened wondering
". She recognized the Moonlight
Sonata. brilliantly and charmingly exc
cuted.
Who was it? Mrs. Gibson possibly;
but Lefty had had the impression that
Mrs. Gibson didn't play.
She listened with quickly apprecia-
tive admiration and with some longing,
because she felt certain that that was
better than she could have done.
She went on into the music room in
eager curiosity.
Her muff lay on the chair where she
had left it; but Lefty did not take it.
She stood quite still in the doorway,
gazing speechless at the person on the
piano stool.
1t was Raymond Gibson. He was
absorbed in his occupation. His head
was thrown back, and his eyes were on
the ceiling.
He vas using the pedals vigorously.
His music teacher had stood in the
doorway some three minutes before he
became aware of her presence. Then
there was a crashing of the keys.
Miss Whitaker gasped her pupil.
Lefty only gazed at him. She was
quite stunnedi
Mr.. Gibson sprang to his feet.
don't look like thatI' he entreated,
rushing towards her. Don't Miss
Whitaker"
But Lefty shrank back, her eyes fixed
upon him in sOlemnity and sternnesS.
.What-what does this mean. Mr..
Gibson?" she said. with an austerity
which was married by her faltering
voice.
Mr.. Gibson pulled her gently inside,
and shut the door.
Il know you'll forgive mer' he inn
plored.
Lefty looked at him with reddening
cheeks, and then burst int tears,
What did you do it it for?" she
sObbed.
what fOr?" her pupil repeated,
standing very close to her and getting
possession of one of her hands. don't
YOU know. Miss WOittaker-Letty? I've
wanted to know you sO-fOr years
ever since first saw you. And I'd be-
gun TO think should be able to man
age it. / used 10 lie awake nights worry
ing over it And walking home with
you that day hadn't intended it, tru-
". but we were talking about your
pupils. you know. and the idea occurred
TO me. and-and couldn't help it.
Don't be angry. l did accomplish il,
YOU see. We do know each other.
What's the odds, dear?'
you've made me perfectly ridicu-